Dangers of Dog Grooming? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LucyNTuckersMom · 10-16-2006, 08:52 PM

Recently on Inside Edition, they showed dogs that were injured or killed while at the groomers. Story at:
http://insideedition.com/ourstories/...px?storyid=403
I have 2 puppies that I have not yet taken in for a real grooming, somewhat because this story freaked me out. I was at a Petsmart recently, just watching thru the glass windows. You cannot see the dogs getting bathed or dried, just trimmed/brushed on the tables. And the groomers would walk away and leave the dogs just standing there. It made me wonder about my puppies... they tend to want to follow me where ever I go. I could see them wandering off the table after the groomer and getting hung.
How do you go about finding a reliable groomer in your area? I eventually feel I could do this myself, but I'd like to see some professional grooming first.

Teresa

Pipersmommy · 10-17-2006, 06:45 AM

I watched that show also. It was awful what some places were doing. Makes you wonder.

ARCHIE · 10-17-2006, 07:06 AM

I read more and more on this subject. I have taken Buddy to Petco and have had one groomer groom him. However, they use cages and attach the dryer to the doors! I never thought this was a problem thinking they are professional people until I read these nightmares. I will not take him back!
I have found a groomer who grooms on appointments and hand dryes and does not use cages. We are going there. It is a distance from me but I really don't think I have a choice anymore. Her business has been open for 12 yrs and I know her.

gigismom · 10-17-2006, 07:47 AM

I took GiGi to her new groomer this morning. She's been in training at Petsmart, so I took her there 1 time, mostly to have her little bootie shaved. She was not there very long, the lady called and said she would not let her come near her face, and would hardly let her brush her. I thought that was strange. Then after that I watched through the glass how they would yank on the fur (hair), walk away from the pups while on the table. Most of the dogs were just shaking (I assume from being scared to death!).

I was nervous about leaving her today, but I really did my research. I found a place that is usually at full occupancy on their boarding, and mostly full on the grooming schedule. They let you tour anything you want to see, unannounced. And, I got to leave GiGi's favorite toys with her. if anything happens, they prefer to take the pup to it's own vet...... only in a dire emergency would they take the pup to a vet other than the one that normally treats her. They also have doggie daycare there..... so I'm not so nervous now. I did tell them that she had not had a good groomer experience, and they promised to call me as soon as she is done...... unless she is having the time of her life..... then I'll pick her up at lunch!

LinsZooCrew · 10-17-2006, 08:18 AM

I NEVER let a groomer near my kids. Some years back all of this came out before. That is when I decided I would learn to groom my own babies. I went to work for a woman who had a grooming/boarding facility. She had some very 'upper crust' clients. I was horrified at the way she did business. She used Nair in their ears to get them really clean, WD40 to get out knots. Slugging puppies with a balled up fist who were too bouncy on the grooming table. And always cutting their nails before their bath so the blood wouldn't show up on their coats. I didn't last long there.... After I quit I tried turning her into everyone but they all said they'd need proof! At least the fates finally stepped in and her place was sold, very valuable property, A huge grocery store now sits there. But I trust no one, granted my babies aren't professionally groomed but I have had a lot of folks stop and tell me how cute their cuts are and who does them? They are clean, neat and safe. And to me that is the most important thing.

connie k · 10-17-2006, 08:46 AM

I had no idea that dogs were dying a the groomers. My mother use to have a van come to our house to groomer our Llasa apso when I was a kid. I have tried to find some thing like that now. It was called Petvango. They would come to your house in a van by appointment and groom you dog. When Nikki (the Llasa) saw the van pull up she would beg at the door to go. I recently took Molly our yorkie the a groomer in town by appointment and stayed while she was getting groomed. I think you should be able to stay and watch. I mean really would you leave your 2 year old human child at the hair salon for a couple of hours to get a hair cut. If the salon won't let you stay then don't leave your fur baby!!!! My bet is they have something to hide. Trust no one until they gain your trust. These baby's are not yard dogs the a part of your family. I paid more for my yorkie that I did to give birth to both of my children. Sorry I am ranting. I just think it is such a shame that those poor dogs died. Connie K

Amanda7 · 10-17-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyNTuckersMom

I eventually feel I could do this myself, but I'd like to see some professional grooming first.

Teresa

It really isn't that difficult to groom your yorkie at home. It just takes time and practice. If you have a helper to hold the puppy while you clip him, you can get pretty good results. Look around at other pics of yorkies and choose which cut you like, then try and copy it. Buy a good set of clippers and start slowly. It doesn't matter if the result doesn't look professional, at least you know your puppy is safe in your hands, and you aren't trusting a stranger. When I groom my boys, I don't usually do their whole body in one sitting. I may do the ears and face one day, the legs the next day, etc. They cooperate better for shorter periods. Give it a try. It's well worth it in the long run.

Dragonfly · 10-17-2006, 10:43 AM

What is a good set of clippers?

I have looked and don't know what kind to get?

I do all my yorkies But Sunshine I am to scared to do her because of the soft spot I take her to a friend that's a groomer and I watch her that's how I know how to groom my other 6 yorkies.

Gizmo0719 · 10-17-2006, 10:51 AM

I took my Gizmo to Petsmart for the first time and of course I stayed and watched the whole time and they were really good..I love the ending results the only thing i didnt like was that i couldnt see when they bathe him and well they dry him as they brush his hair right in front of me...I would never leave my furbaby there all alone...My husband has to hold him down when we are just trying to wipe his eyes so trying to groom him wouldnt work with him..Even when i brush him at night he cannot stay still and when i shower him he moves a lot and trys to get away and when i took him to petsmart i guess the fact that he didnt know the girl that was grooming him made him scared and he stood very still which he would never do w/ me...

JeanieK · 10-17-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyNTuckersMom

Recently on Inside Edition, they showed dogs that were injured or killed while at the groomers. Story at:
http://insideedition.com/ourstories/...px?storyid=403
I have 2 puppies that I have not yet taken in for a real grooming, somewhat because this story freaked me out. I was at a Petsmart recently, just watching thru the glass windows. You cannot see the dogs getting bathed or dried, just trimmed/brushed on the tables. And the groomers would walk away and leave the dogs just standing there. It made me wonder about my puppies... they tend to want to follow me where ever I go. I could see them wandering off the table after the groomer and getting hung.
How do you go about finding a reliable groomer in your area? I eventually feel I could do this myself, but I'd like to see some professional grooming first.

Teresa

There are videos that show you how to do the vrious breeds. I'm sure you could learn, it might not be perfect at first but they don't care.

I have never taken a dog to a groomer. I used to give my past yorkies puppy cits in the summer, just by using a scissors and my fingers as a length guide. I took the hair between my fingers and cut it that short.

If I were showing them, it would be different.

Also, I hve a dog clippers, but prefer to use the same Whal clipper that I use for my husband.

Ponyup · 10-17-2006, 10:56 AM

I'm happy with my groomer, but she's a girl I went to high school with. She was in my brothers grade. They groom in a building attached to the vet office that I worked in as a kid so I know if there was an accident they would see a good vet right away. I stayed the first time just to make sure he was safe & I was happy with her work. He likes to go see her & she says he's one of her best behaved clients. so there are good ones out there. & I agree that you should be able to stay the first time if not everytime.

BLowry · 10-17-2006, 10:58 AM

I groom the girls myself...I feel even if it doesn't look professional at least I know what kind of treatment they are getting...My girlfriend brings her lhasa to a groomer 2 or 3 times a year. (she has her cut down real short...she doesnt want to be bothered with taking care of long hair...) She went to pick up Tabby at the groomers and there was a small dog on the table..(tied) When the groomer and my friend turned around the dog had tried to jump off the table and was HANGING!! FROM HER NECK! and this is why I groom myself!

Erin · 10-17-2006, 11:08 AM

I really want to buy a decent set of clippers and do it myself, but my current groomer does an AMAZING job and for only $35 she keeps him for less than an hour. She only does small dogs and she does not crate them since she does only one at a time. She just cuddles him and loves him and she even lets me help hold him for the hard part - the nails and ears - so that he doesn't freak out. Good groomers are out there I promise!

The first groomer we used was OK. I was never worried about Loki getting hurt but I didn't like her cut and she couldn't ever seem to follow my instructions. She also would keep him for 4 hours and was only open from 9-1 when I was working! She would clip all the dogs then bathe them. As soon as I found a better one we switched.

Also, I have a friend who lives up near you and has a good groomer. Do you want me to get the name for you?

ARCHIE · 10-17-2006, 11:17 AM

Can someone explain to me why dogs go into crates to begin with?
If you have an appointment at 11:00 why then can't you sit there and wait for the dog to be finished? Or go shopping and come back in 1 or 2 hrs to pick up your pet. When you make an appointment at a salon for yourself you don't go into a crate and wait! Why can't the pet grooming business be run the same way? I found one that does and I am going to start using it. They should all be like that to begin with.

Erin · 10-17-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Can someone explain to me why dogs go into crates to begin with?
If you have an appointment at 11:00 why then can't you sit there and wait for the dog to be finished? Or go shopping and come back in 1 or 2 hrs to pick up your pet. When you make an appointment at a salon for yourself you don't go into a crate and wait! Why can't the pet grooming business be run the same way? I found one that does and I am going to start using it. They should all be like that to begin with.

Like I said above, the one groomer liked to clip all the dogs and then give them all a bath. I was fine with this except her hours were only in the middle of the day so it was really inconvenient for anyone who worked. I found myself scheduling grooming appts for my days off and that was when I wanted to see Loki! She only did 4 dogs a day. Her biggest issue was she didn't seem to own a pair of scissors - she used clippers for everything!

Another groomer I used for a while would let me drop Loki off at lunch around noon and then let me pick him up at 4:00 when I got off work. That worked well for me until she changed her hours. How do some of these groomers expect you to work around their daytime hours?

I like being able to leave Loki for only an hour, but I HAVE to get a Saturday appt or otherwise I have to make my husband take him at lunch! The thing is, if I didn't work all day I'd just groom him myself!

10-16-2006, 08:52 PM	#1
LucyNTuckersMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: IL Posts: 152	Dangers of Dog Grooming? Recently on Inside Edition, they showed dogs that were injured or killed while at the groomers. Story at: http://insideedition.com/ourstories/...px?storyid=403 I have 2 puppies that I have not yet taken in for a real grooming, somewhat because this story freaked me out. I was at a Petsmart recently, just watching thru the glass windows. You cannot see the dogs getting bathed or dried, just trimmed/brushed on the tables. And the groomers would walk away and leave the dogs just standing there. It made me wonder about my puppies... they tend to want to follow me where ever I go. I could see them wandering off the table after the groomer and getting hung. How do you go about finding a reliable groomer in your area? I eventually feel I could do this myself, but I'd like to see some professional grooming first. Teresa

10-17-2006, 08:18 AM	#5
LinsZooCrew Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northeast IL Posts: 106	I NEVER let a groomer near my kids. Some years back all of this came out before. That is when I decided I would learn to groom my own babies. I went to work for a woman who had a grooming/boarding facility. She had some very 'upper crust' clients. I was horrified at the way she did business. She used Nair in their ears to get them really clean, WD40 to get out knots. Slugging puppies with a balled up fist who were too bouncy on the grooming table. And always cutting their nails before their bath so the blood wouldn't show up on their coats. I didn't last long there.... After I quit I tried turning her into everyone but they all said they'd need proof! At least the fates finally stepped in and her place was sold, very valuable property, A huge grocery store now sits there. But I trust no one, granted my babies aren't professionally groomed but I have had a lot of folks stop and tell me how cute their cuts are and who does them? They are clean, neat and safe. And to me that is the most important thing. __________________ Lin, Keifer & Daisy the Shih Tzu And our Angel Cooper

10-17-2006, 08:46 AM	#6
connie k Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: georgia Posts: 131	I had no idea that dogs were dying a the groomers. My mother use to have a van come to our house to groomer our Llasa apso when I was a kid. I have tried to find some thing like that now. It was called Petvango. They would come to your house in a van by appointment and groom you dog. When Nikki (the Llasa) saw the van pull up she would beg at the door to go. I recently took Molly our yorkie the a groomer in town by appointment and stayed while she was getting groomed. I think you should be able to stay and watch. I mean really would you leave your 2 year old human child at the hair salon for a couple of hours to get a hair cut. If the salon won't let you stay then don't leave your fur baby!!!! My bet is they have something to hide. Trust no one until they gain your trust. These baby's are not yard dogs the a part of your family. I paid more for my yorkie that I did to give birth to both of my children. Sorry I am ranting. I just think it is such a shame that those poor dogs died. Connie K __________________ Connie k

10-17-2006, 10:43 AM	#8
Dragonfly My Sun Shine's bright Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Georiga Posts: 2,353	What is a good set of clippers? I have looked and don't know what kind to get? I do all my yorkies But Sunshine I am to scared to do her because of the soft spot I take her to a friend that's a groomer and I watch her that's how I know how to groom my other 6 yorkies. __________________ My beautiful Sunshine Me & my Gang

10-17-2006, 10:51 AM	#9
Gizmo0719 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Riverside California Posts: 75	I took my Gizmo to Petsmart for the first time and of course I stayed and watched the whole time and they were really good..I love the ending results the only thing i didnt like was that i couldnt see when they bathe him and well they dry him as they brush his hair right in front of me...I would never leave my furbaby there all alone...My husband has to hold him down when we are just trying to wipe his eyes so trying to groom him wouldnt work with him..Even when i brush him at night he cannot stay still and when i shower him he moves a lot and trys to get away and when i took him to petsmart i guess the fact that he didnt know the girl that was grooming him made him scared and he stood very still which he would never do w/ me... __________________ ARI from Gizmo MY Last edited by Gizmo0719; 10-17-2006 at 10:54 AM.

10-17-2006, 06:45 AM	#2
Pipersmommy Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SW Fl Posts: 1,802	I watched that show also. It was awful what some places were doing. Makes you wonder.

10-17-2006, 07:06 AM	#3
ARCHIE Owned by "Buddy" Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 11,043	I read more and more on this subject. I have taken Buddy to Petco and have had one groomer groom him. However, they use cages and attach the dryer to the doors! I never thought this was a problem thinking they are professional people until I read these nightmares. I will not take him back! I have found a groomer who grooms on appointments and hand dryes and does not use cages. We are going there. It is a distance from me but I really don't think I have a choice anymore. Her business has been open for 12 yrs and I know her.

10-17-2006, 07:47 AM	#4
gigismom Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 129	I took GiGi to her new groomer this morning. She's been in training at Petsmart, so I took her there 1 time, mostly to have her little bootie shaved. She was not there very long, the lady called and said she would not let her come near her face, and would hardly let her brush her. I thought that was strange. Then after that I watched through the glass how they would yank on the fur (hair), walk away from the pups while on the table. Most of the dogs were just shaking (I assume from being scared to death!). I was nervous about leaving her today, but I really did my research. I found a place that is usually at full occupancy on their boarding, and mostly full on the grooming schedule. They let you tour anything you want to see, unannounced. And, I got to leave GiGi's favorite toys with her. if anything happens, they prefer to take the pup to it's own vet...... only in a dire emergency would they take the pup to a vet other than the one that normally treats her. They also have doggie daycare there..... so I'm not so nervous now. I did tell them that she had not had a good groomer experience, and they promised to call me as soon as she is done...... unless she is having the time of her life..... then I'll pick her up at lunch!

10-17-2006, 10:56 AM	#11
Ponyup YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 1,249	I'm happy with my groomer, but she's a girl I went to high school with. She was in my brothers grade. They groom in a building attached to the vet office that I worked in as a kid so I know if there was an accident they would see a good vet right away. I stayed the first time just to make sure he was safe & I was happy with her work. He likes to go see her & she says he's one of her best behaved clients. so there are good ones out there. & I agree that you should be able to stay the first time if not everytime. __________________ Ponyup Mom to LOGAN

10-17-2006, 10:58 AM	#12
BLowry Loved by Sadie & Lillie Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,855	I groom the girls myself...I feel even if it doesn't look professional at least I know what kind of treatment they are getting...My girlfriend brings her lhasa to a groomer 2 or 3 times a year. (she has her cut down real short...she doesnt want to be bothered with taking care of long hair...) She went to pick up Tabby at the groomers and there was a small dog on the table..(tied) When the groomer and my friend turned around the dog had tried to jump off the table and was HANGING!! FROM HER NECK! and this is why I groom myself! __________________ Brenda

10-17-2006, 11:08 AM	#13
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 2,811	I really want to buy a decent set of clippers and do it myself, but my current groomer does an AMAZING job and for only $35 she keeps him for less than an hour. She only does small dogs and she does not crate them since she does only one at a time. She just cuddles him and loves him and she even lets me help hold him for the hard part - the nails and ears - so that he doesn't freak out. Good groomers are out there I promise! The first groomer we used was OK. I was never worried about Loki getting hurt but I didn't like her cut and she couldn't ever seem to follow my instructions. She also would keep him for 4 hours and was only open from 9-1 when I was working! She would clip all the dogs then bathe them. As soon as I found a better one we switched. Also, I have a friend who lives up near you and has a good groomer. Do you want me to get the name for you? __________________ Barkaholics Don't be a Turkey! Get your gifts early! Use code: TURKEY for 10% off orders over $10. ALSO! Free Shipping for orders over $60 for a limited time!

10-17-2006, 11:17 AM	#14
ARCHIE Owned by "Buddy" Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NEW YORK Posts: 11,043	Can someone explain to me why dogs go into crates to begin with? If you have an appointment at 11:00 why then can't you sit there and wait for the dog to be finished? Or go shopping and come back in 1 or 2 hrs to pick up your pet. When you make an appointment at a salon for yourself you don't go into a crate and wait! Why can't the pet grooming business be run the same way? I found one that does and I am going to start using it. They should all be like that to begin with.